Sun Records !

Rufus Thomas, Jr. - Sun Records # 181 - March 1953

Side A - Bear Cat 

Side B - Walking In The Rain

This is the earliest Sun 78 record in my collection and it's in great shape and a bloody marvellous record it is to!

This was in a time when those answer records were becoming all the rage and Sam Phillips and Rufus wasted no time in a reply to 'Hound Dog' by Big Mama Thornton back in 1952.

The early labels were withdrawn rather quickly as they said "The answer to Hound Dog" and Sam was getting sued by Don Robey of Peacock Records.

"Bear Cat" is simply wonderful and Rufus gets right into it, blues guitar and a slow slappin' bass moves this tune right up amongst the best blues that Sun was putting out and when Rufus shouts 'Get It, Get It, Get It, Get it' you know it's only one thing that he wants!

The flip side is a slower groove but still hits the spot! 

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Little Junior's Blue Flames - Sun Records # 187 - July 1953

Side A - Feelin' Good

Side B - Fussin' and Fightin' Blues

If you want to hear the quintessential Blues bopper of the early 50's then ladies and gentlemen I give you 'Feelin' Good'! this is without doubt the most copied and adored song for modern Blues/Rockabilly bands! it moves even when it's standing still! this monster tune just moves! 

Little Junior Parker with his superb Blue Flames are on a different level to most of their ilk! a glorious record that will be forever remembered for making us 'Feel Good'

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Little Junior's Blue Flames - Sun # 192 - Nov 1953

Side A - Love My Baby

Side B - Mystery Train

A slice of Blues perfection perfectly captured onto tape by Sam Phillips in August 1953 and we should all be so eternally grateful that it happened as this is as close to heaven as you will ever hear.

Both sides went onto to be updated within a couple of years also at Sun by Elvis (Mystery Train) Sun records and by Hayden Thompson (Love My Baby) released on the Phillips International label.

To be honest both songs need no introduction by me or anyone else! they are class personified and take you back to a time where music was being pushed to new boundaries and Mr Parker should be mighty mighty proud of what he recorded on these takes in August 1953.

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Little Milton - Sun Records # 194 - Dec 24th 1953.

Side A - Beggin' My Baby

Side B - Somebody Told Me 

Recorded: - July 28, 1953

Released: - December 24, 1953

Little Milton Campbell - Vocal and Guitar

Ike Turner - Piano

C.W. Tate - Tenor Saxophone

Jesse Knight - Bass

Willie Sims - Drums

Little Milton Campbell storms his way through this brilliant slice of Blues shellac. I for one would have preferred 'Somebody Told Me' as the A side, not sure who made that decision but I much prefer the B side. It is a real stomping Blues number, just rolls with every Ike Turner piano note & Milton's wonderful raspy vocal. 

Beggin' My Baby is still a real cool tune but it has that Fats Domino feel, it slowly moves along and is just a very nice blues tune.

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Earl Peterson (Michigan's Singing Cowboy) - Sun Records # 197 - 20th  Feb 1954

A Side - Boogie Blues

B Side - In The Dark 

A masterpiece of the first fiddle boogie country bop to be released by Sun (just three months before Elvis got his 1st release) Earl lays on some yodel and inflections in his voice that show maturity and you get some sublime guitar pickin' just for good measure! Whoever is on this session were top notch musicians that's for sure! Just a few months later Earl hopped over to Columbia records and re recorded and released 'Boogie Blues' for them! but it did not have that magic that he got in Memphis and Earl I'm sure carried on singing Country until his death in 1971!

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Little Milton - Sun Records # 200 - 15th April 1954

Side A - If You Love Me

Side B - Alone And Blue.

Little Milton and his boys return to Sun with their 2nd release on the label. It's a toe tapper for sure and 'If You Love Me' is a terrific little mid tempo blues song, scorching guitar and sax start thing off and then Milton hits you full on with those pleading vocals! and then Milton rams home that guitar solo! pow!

A slow number arrives on side 2 and is by no means a throw away track, sweet vocals and tip top tinkling on those ivories makes this a lovely tune.

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Elvis Presley, Scotty & Bill - Sun Records # 209 - July 1954.

A Side - That's All Right.

B Side - Blue Moon Of Kentucky.

Well, what can I say about this record that has not already been said a million times! a game changer in music, lifestyle and history!

I now finally own this copy and is now my fourth Elvis Sun 78 record, I am so proud to own this record that words will never come close to expressing my feelings. The start of Rockabilly and the original explosion of a culture that remains to this day!

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Elvis Presley - Sun Records # 210 - Sept 1954.

A Side - Good Rockin' Tonight

B Side - I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine

This is my first Elvis Sun 78 record! I got it at a decent price! so I'm happy but other Elvis Sun 78's are way out of my league! (I have 4 now so getting close to the set)

These two songs need no introduction! the word 'Classic' comes to mind! mind blowing stuff considering it was recorded in 1954! this record must have flipped wigs all over Tennessee at the time!

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Billy (The Kid) Emerson 

Sun Records # 214 - 8th Jan 1955

Side A - Move Baby Move

Side B - When It Rains It Pours

Side A kicks off with a mid paced bounce, with hand claps and rasping vocals from Mr Emerson and then you get some blasting sax to finish you off, pure brilliance .

On the flip you get another top tune (later covered by Mr Presley at RCA) 

William Robert Emerson (December 21, 1925 – April 25, 2023) died aged 97!

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Elvis Presley - Sun Records # 217 - 25th April 1955

Side A - Baby Let's Play House.

Side B - I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone.

This is my fourth (just one to go for the set) and maybe not (as I previously thought) my last ever Elvis Sun 78 record! 

This record, again needs no introduction from me or anyone! the word 'Classic' gets banded around a lot in record collecting circles but this is just that! it a CLASSIC! 

Both sides just ooze class and Elvis, Scotty & Bill were going places and didn't they know it!

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Elvis Presley with Scotty & Bill - Sun Records # 223 - 1st Aug 1955.

A Side - Mystery Train 

B Side - I Forgot To Remember To Forget 

This is my second! and maybe not (as I previously thought) my last ever Elvis Sun 78 record! You wait years to own just one and then two opportunities come along within 2 months! so I grabbed this one with all gusto and at a really great price that I could not refuse!

Mystery Train really needs no introduction to anyone who loves Rockabilly/Rock 'n' Roll but when I heard it through my late 50's Dansette record player! wow! it just explodes of the turntable! how did that young boy or girl react in 1955 when they played this! truly mind blowing! Elvis sounds as great as he always has but for me Scotty Moore's guitar is about near perfection as you'll ever hear! he is on the edge of a sound that 6 strings had really not been doing in any band or studio (with a very few exceptions). 

And as you are all aware on the flip is the masterful 'I Forgot To Remember To Forget' written by Kesler and the rockabilly cat himself Charlie Feathers! Again Scotty and Elvis steal the show but lets not forget the mesmerising shuffle drums provided by Johnny Bernero! 

A record that still makes you shake and quiver after all these years must be a bit special! surely?

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Carl Perkins - Sun Record # 224 - Oct 1955

Side A - Let The Juke Box Keep On Playing.

Side B - Gone, Gone, Gone.

After his 1st release on Flip Records 'Movie Magg' in March 1955! Carl got his first release on Sun Records proper! The A side is a delightful Country tune! Carl is still finding his feet in the studio but you can hear the very beginning of a wonderful artist who would go on to be a major star at Sun and then Columbia and be a pivotal player in Rock 'N' Roll history! This song was obviously targeted towards the massive country music fan in the south of the USA! But it would be the flip that you can hear the direction that Carl believes he should be going in! 'Gone, Gone, Gone' is a rip roaring rockabilly track and aimed at the young kids who had started to dig the new star in Memphis! that new star was Elvis Presley! who had just the released 'Mystery Train'  on Sun # 223! Carl would go onto produce more excellence on Sun and throughout his career in music!

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Billy "The Kid" Emerson - Sun Record # 233 - Dec 1955

Side A - Little Fine Healthy Thing

Side B - Something For Nothing

Mr Emerson sure knows how to sing and again after his minor hit 'Move Baby Move' he returns with more suave and fabulous tunes! both written by Billy and both side of this platter really are movers! Elvis, Carl and Jerry Lee were big movers on Union Ave but these Blues boys were still a hit with the locals around Memphis and this record proves just that!

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Carl Perkins - Sun Records # 234 - Dec 1955.

A - Side - Blue Suede Shoes

B - Side - Honey Don't

The second release on Sun found Carl laying down the first million seller for Sam Phillips at Sun and it peaked on the billboard charts at number 4! And as you would imagine both Carl and Sam would be elevated to stardom and with Elvis and Carl on the books Sun studios would be the place to record your tunes and the door would be open to all the great rockabilly kids to try their luck over the next few years!

Both sides on this platter show the simplicity of great rockabilly! played with excellence by all! both of these tunes need no introduction but they both tick all the boxes when it comes to the Sun studio sound!

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Warren Smith .
Sun Records # 239 - 1956.
Rock 'N' Roll Ruby / I'd Rather Be Safe Than Sorry.

Rock 'n' Roll Ruby was written by Johnny Cash and he apparently was present at Sun Studios with Sam Phillips on the night (5th Feb) when Warren and his 'Snearly Ranch Boys' cut these two tracks. This is proper grown up rockabilly, the whole band just rocks on the A side . The band consisted of The line-up consisted of Warren Smith on vocals and rhythm guitar, Buddy Holobaugh on electric lead guitar, Stan Kesler on steel guitar, Jan Ledbetter on bass, Smokey Joe Baugh on piano, and Johnny Bernero on drums, who replaced Clyde Leoppard.

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Jack Earl And The Jimbos 

Sun Records # 240 - 1956

Slow Down / A Fool For Lovin' You

A bop classic ! a Rockabiily tune that needs no introduction to any fan, in short this is what Sun Records is all about, this is the Sun sound and Jack is the ring master as he conducts the Jimbos in a furoius  A side in "Slow Down" and then brings them down with a skippy ballad on the flip ........just a dream records !

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Johnny Cash and Tennessee Two - Sun Record # 241 - 1st May 1956.

Side A - I Walk The Line

Side B - Get Rhythm .

When it comes to a Johnny Cash release on Sun Records! there really is not too much to be added! as I think we all know how good this 2 sided record is! it is a CLASSIC! and there is never going to be the likes of this record ever again! it is without doubt brilliant! we know the songs! we know the man! we know the history! timeless and priceless! 

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Roy Orbison and Teen Kings 
Sun Records - # 242 - 1956
Ooby Dooby / Go Go Go

Classic Sun twin spin monster from Roy! & it does exactly what it says on the tin! it rocks, it moves and it shakes! all at the same time . The session at Sun took place on the 

27 March 1956 Sun Studio, 706 Union Ave., Memphis, TN – Roy Orbison (Roy Orbison [vcl], Johnny Wilson [gt], James Morrow [mandolin], Jack Kennelly [bass]. Billy Ellis [drums])

ROY FACT - "Ooby Dooby was a song I heard at North Texas State when I met two guys there, Wade & Dick. I took their song back and recorded it.
Then I called Sam Phillips at Sun, on the advice of Johnny Cash. I told Sam that Johnny had said I might be able to get on his label. Sam Phillips replied Johnny Cash doesn't run my record label and he hung up"

Roy's first release was a 45 rpm on Jewel records # 101 it was recorded March 4, 1956 in Norman Petty's studio, Clovis, New Mexico, the A Side was 'Tryin' To Get To You' B/w 'Ooby Dooby'. That record sparked Sam Phillip's interest and 'Ooby dooby' was quickly re-recorded later in March for SUN and released with 'Go Go Go' in May 1956 as Roy Orbison And Teen Kings !

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Malcolm Yelvington - Sun Records # 246 - 3rd Aug 1956

Side A - Rockin' With My Baby

Side B - It's Me Baby

Mr Yelvington shows all the young cats that the older gentlemen can also rock a little! Malcolm was 38 years old when he cut this gem at Sun and proves age is no barrier with this new fangled Rockabilly. Rockin' With My Baby is class and Malcolm delivers from the start to the end, this classic jumps, bops and swings all at the same time, Just majestic. 

It's Me Baby, might not be as punchy as the A side but never the less, a real smooth bluesy chugger that also packs that punch (but not a knockout like the flip) more like a strong jab, but still great!

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Sonny Burgess - Sun Records # 247 - Aug 1956

Side 1 - Red Headed Woman

Side 2 - We Wanna Boogie

Sonny Burgess on lead vocals and guitar, the original line up of the Pacers was Joe Lewis (guitar), John Ray Hubbard (upright bass), Russell Smith (drums), Ray Kennedy (piano) and Jack Nance (trumpet). 

Both of these tunes need no introduction! they are the quintessential Rockabilly sound perfected by Sam Phillips and when they were unleashed to the unsuspecting public they blew everyone away and modern day fans and collectors hold this twin sided monster as the meaning for wild Rockabilly , once heard you can never un hear it, it's wild, it's untamed and it's raucous, now we all wanna boogie!

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Rhythm Rockers - Sun Records # 248 - Aug 1956

Side A - Fiddle Bop (Vocal Buddy Durham)

Side B - Jukebox Help Me Find My Baby (Vocal Hardrock Gunter)

A strange release by Sun! sandwiched between Sonny Burgess & Carl Perkins. Don't get me wrong, both sides are simply marvelous but not sure it was going to sell in big numbers as it appears to be a sort of made up band with no real direction. Both sides are movers and certainly bop along just fine, echo in abundance on both sides. I would imagine that it sold locally very well but not so well further a field.

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Carl Perkins 

Sun Records # 249 - 1956

Dixie Fried / I'm Sorry, I'm Not Sorry

Dixie Fried was not the sort of single you would have expected as a release after Carl's previous hit on Sun Records but Sam Phillips went for it all the same . The dark tale of late night boozing ,Honky Tonks, razors and bar room brawls .....not really the stuff that Mum and Dad were gonna buy for their kids back in 1956, but this is the stuff the collectors want now, this is Rockabilly with a dark twisted edge and boy oh boy does it move ....Rave on cats !

March 1956 Sun Studio, 706 Union Ave., Memphis, TN – Carl Perkins
024 U-211 DIXIE FRIED 249
025 U-210 I'M SORRY I'M NOT SORRY 249

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Warren Smith 

Sun Records # 250 - 1956

Ubangi Stomp / Black Jack David.

In August 1956, Smith went back to the Sun Records studio to record his second release, "Ubangi Stomp". This infectious rocker had an incorrect lyric including an African chief with the syntax of a movie Indian. For the B side, Smith recorded the classic ballad "Black Jack David". This song, which originated in early 18th-century Britain and survived in various forms in the mountains of the American south, may be the oldest song ever recorded by a rock and roll performer. Although a resounding artistic success, it did not sell as well as Smith's debut.

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Slim Rhodes (Featuring Sandy Brooks) 

Sun Record # 256 - Nov 1956

Side A - Do What I Do

Side B - Take And Give

Sandy Brooks - Vocal Slim Rhodes - Guitar Brad Suggs - Lead Guitar John Hughey - Steel Guitar Speck Rhodes - Bass Johnny Bernero - Drums

Slim and the band were a very popular combo and he even had his own WMC-TV show in the local area but even he realised on his show and live appearances he needed that Elvis type rockabilly part to keep the teenage rabble happy and with Sandy Brooks stunning vocal on both sides you get all this and more.

The more youthful Sandy Brooks rips and rollocks his way on both sides of this rockabilly double sided shellac! so much energy on the A side and the flip is just as great even if the song is slower the delivery is perfect, Sandy shimmers with his terrific vocal and with that weeping steel by John Hughey it becomes a classic in every word. One word for this record is "marvellous"

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Johnny Cash And Tennessee Two.

Sun Records # 258.

There You Go / Train Of Love

You wanna hear classic Johnny Cash ? then look no further than Sun # 258 .....pure Cash, you get exactle what you need, heartbreak, love, chuggin rhythm and the voice of Johnny ......unmistakeable brilliance !

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Ernie Chaffin

Sun Record # 262 - 1957

Feelin' Low / Lonesome For My Baby.

Ernie Chaffin for me, can be summed up in just one word .......King !
For me he was the king of Country at Sun studios, a trail blazer, a man way before his time, a truly gifted song writer and vocalist. Sam Phillips obviously saw the same in the man and released a total of four singles ( not bad for a simple Country singer in 1956/57 ) while all around him Jerry Lee, Roy Obison and Carl Perkins were rocking it up for the kids, Ernie just kept doing what he did best, quality songs that were not only catchy but were different, oozed class and are today considered classics .......these are beautiful songs and I will say it one more time ........ERNIE CHAFFIN IS .........KING !

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Warren Smith - Sun Records # 268 - 15th April 1957.

Side A - So Long I'm Gone (Roy Orbison)

Side B - Miss Froggie (Warren Smith)

This was to be the third release on Sun records for Warren and a great effort it was! the A side is a cool enough shuffle track with great vocals by Mr Smith (Reached No. 74 on the Billboard charts) but it's the B side that you find the killer tune! Now this is a song that every rockabilly band has played at some time or another ( some very well but most not so much) but when you listen to the original! it vibrates with venom! Just superb lead guitar by Al Hopson & Warren just growls his way through it! and the band at times seem a little unhinged as they must have been enjoying the moment on the take that was released! a killer tune! 

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Ernie Chaffin

Sun Record # 275 - Aug 1957

Laughin' And Jokin' / I'm Lonesome

Ernie Chaffin again pulls a monster record from the Sun studios! Laughin' And Jokin' with it's chuggin' beat and gold crafted melody smacks you square between the eyes with a tune so ahead of it's time it's scary! A full on country rockabilly record which has style and a  performance that must have turned Sam Philips head right around!  

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Carl Perkins - The Rockin' Guitar Man.

Sun Records # 287 - Dec 1957

Glad All Over / Lend Me Your Comb.

Rock 'n' Roll was now all the rave down on Union Ave and Carl was now heading for greater things(or so he thought) and his very last Sun output was just impressive! a toe tapping, head nodding hit! 

Carl Perkins - Lead Guitar/ Vocals

Jay Perkins - Rhythm Guitar /Harmony vocals on (lend Me Your Comb)

Clayton Perkins - Upright Bass

W.S 'Fluke' Holland - Drums

Glad All Over is a terrific mid paced rocker, catchy and gleeful lyrics were just what Sam Phillips wanted to get more sales! and the flip 'Lend Me Your Comb' was pure 50's pop, it has a 'Wake Up Little Suzie' feel to it and is definitely aimed at the teen R'n'R market! this song has Carl & Jay sharing the vocals and should have really been a massive hit, mayeb the production could have been a bit more lavish as in places it's quite stark instrumentation wise, but boy, a great song!

'Lend me your Comb' was released a year later in the UK on London Records as the A side on a 45 with 'That;s Right' on the flip! a perfect song record for the UK teens!

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Bonanza Records !

Jimmy Dawson ( Dave Farley)
Bonanza Records # 101 - 1955
Devil Eyes / Walking Round In Circles.

What a red hot scorching' lil' record this is ! 
Released by Bonanza as sung by 'Dave Farley' ( as per my copy above) and the name scratched out on both sides (on later Bonanza copies) the name was changed back to Jimmy Dawson.
'Devil Eyes' is such a great song and features some fine guitar pickin'.......what a record ! what a 78 bonanza !!! 
Originally issued as Dave Farley ( Farley pseudonym seen scratched out) better known as Jimmie Dawson with the "IE" .Devil Eyes B/w Walking ’round In Circles  (the latter being the most well-known Dawson song, except " Big Black Bug Boogie "  a different song with the same name was issued on Delta 101 by Dick Marquis) were apparently reissued from Bonanza 101 (reviewed by Billboard in October 1955) ; with the very same label/number, it had been also issued by a Dave Farley, another Dawson pseudonym! Bonanza was given a Cincinnati, OH. address.                     

Trumpet Records !

Joe Williams & his 9 string Guitar.

Trumpet Records # 151 - Feb 1952.

Side A - Mama Don't Allow Me

Side B - Delta Blues

Joe Williams with that good ol' 9 string guitar performs here two classic rural blues killers!

First you get a stompin' A side has it all, boogie woogie, Peaches on a tree and everything that makes a classic blues tune a classic.

Slower blues on the B with some Delta stomp, every groove oozes passion, pain and hurt, you can literally taste the anguish!

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The Hodges Brothers 

Trumpet Records # 160 - April 1952.

My Heart Fell At Her Feet / It Won't Be Long.

Stripped down country hillbilly! the songs of the mountains! Ralph & Felix Hodge conjure up those old timey melodies and tug on every heart string with vocals that will lift you higher than a bird! 

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Joe Williams and his 9 String Guitar.

Trumpet Records - No. 171 - June 1952

Side A - She Left Me A Mule

Side B - Bad Heart Blues

Stripped down blues that quite easily gets your feet tappin' and boppin'. That crazy 9 string guitar played by Joe along with the rasping voice is just pure joy, it's magic wrapped up in shellac. The B is a slower blues number and is just as dramatic in delivery and style, a pure wonder of a record!

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Willie Love & His Three Aces

Trumpet Records - No. 172 - May 1952

Side A - Feed My Body To The Fishes

Side B - Falling Rain

Both sides are pure magic, but the main side is jump Blues at it's finest, punchy guitar and that slightly off key piano are so brilliant and then add into the mix, the Willie Love vocal and you have some  smokin' hot blues. The flip is just as great but a slow bluesy number that smokes, cooks and does what is says on the tin! Tasty!

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Willie Love & His Three Aces

Trumpet Records - No. 173 - 1952

Side A - Vanity Dresser Boogie

Side B - Seventy Four Blues

Just a short while later after this record was released, Willie Love passed away in Jackson Mississippi (Born 4th Nov, Duncan, Miss 1906 - Died 19th Aug 1953)

Two classic blues numbers on one record! Recorded in 1951 and released 1952, what more could you ask for? 'Vanity Dresser Boogie' does exactly that, what a tune, ripping guitar and rasping vocals, just immense on every level. The flip hears Willie in a slower blues mood but again top guitar and piano gently moves this monster right along the mean streets of Jackson, just sooooo good!

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Jimmy Swan and his Range Riders.
Trumpet Record # 176 - 1952
Juke Joint Mama / I Had A Dream.

JIMMY SWAN, or "Cowboy Jim" as he presented himself on a Baton Rouge, La. TV-station in 1952. He was signed on the Lilian McMurray Trumpet label in 1952, and recorded for her at WFOR Radio station in Hattiesburg, MS. Juke joint mama (Trumpet 176), has nice steel (a la Don Helms, Hank Williams’ steel player) and fiddle and bubbles along in steady country style !

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Jimmy Swan and his Range Riders.

Trumpet Records - No. 177 - Feb 1953.

Side A - Triflin' On Me 

Side B - I Love You Too Much

Jimmy Swan does it again with his Hank Williams sounding 'Triflin' On Me'. It might be a tribute to the great mans sound as Hank had passed away only the month before this release and my guess would be this is what the country folk wanted, something very 'Hank' and, well, they got there wish! this is dripping in Hank's style and as always Jimmy hits the target with a truly wonderful mid tempo country ditty! 

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Luke McDaniels 
Trumpet Record # 184 - 1952.
Whoa Boy / No More 

What you have here from McDaniels is a flippin' great hillbilly bopper. Luke is still trying to find his style for sure, but boy what a song, what a voice, what a lil' belter this record is, top draw early bop!

15 June 1952 WFOR Radio Station Studio, Hattiesburg, MS – Luke McDaniel (Luke McDaniel [vcl/rh gt], R.B.Mitchell [ld gt], Clayton Parker [bass], Hilton Giger [fiddle])
001 DRC 124/ACA 2227 THIS CRYING HEART Trumpet 45-184/ Klick-O-Phonik CDNo.#
002 DRC 125/ACA 2228 WHOA BOY Trumpet 45-185/ Proper PROPERBOX 103 STCD-24 Cactus TRUMPET-1 , Klick-O-Phonik CDNo.#
003 DRC 126/ACA 2226 NO MORE Trumpet 45-184/,

Luke McDaniel, like many a good singer was born in the good ole southern state of Mississippi, in Ellisville on February 3, 1927. He started in music after buying a seven dollar mandolin, and was influenced by hillbilly singers like The Bailes Brothers. He formed his own band and turned professional in 1945. He opened for Hank Williams in New Orleans in the late 40's and appears to have become hooked on the lonesome sound of Hank. In 1952 he recorded "Whoa Boy" for Trumpet Records in Jackson, Mississippi as well as a tribute single, "A Tribute To Hank Williams, My Buddy". The Trumpet records were all high quality hillbilly, but as with many at the time, showed him at this stage as little more than a Hank Williams clone. 

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Werley Fairburn " The Delta Balladeer"
Trumpet Record # 195 - 1953
Camping With Marie / Let's Live It Over .

The Delta Balladeer is completely at home with this early outing on Trumpet, plenty of fiddle and a country bounce that moves along just fine. Recorded February 3, 1953 at ACA Studio located in Houston (Texas). Werley was backed by Jimmy Swan's band The Range Riders with R.B Mitchell (lead gtr), Charley Ward (steel gtr), Hilton Giger (bass) and Clayton Parker (fiddle). Four self penned songs were cut on that day, two being issued on Trumpet 195 "Camping With Marie" and "Let's Live It Over" with the mention Folk vocal and two others "Baby, Call On Me" and "I Feel Like Crying", scheduled for release on Trumpet 196, but never issued.

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Jimmy Swan and his Range Riders 
Trumpet Record #198 - March 13th 1954.
Lonesome Daddy Blues / One More Time.

I suppose if you were looking for a Hank Williams type vocal and sound you really need look no further than Jimmy Swan. But still it sounds truly wonderful, top of the shop country. Typical lonesome blues song, suitcase packed and headin' on down the line ......brilliant !

3 February 1953 ACA Studio, 5520 Washington Ave., Houston, TX – Jimmy Swan/*Jimmy Swan And His Range Riders (Jimmy Swan [vcl/ac gt], R.B. Mitchell [ld gt], Charley Ward [steel], Hilton Giger [bass]. Clayton Parker [fiddle]. Producer: Lillian McMurry)
007 DRC-150/ACA-2432 MARK OF SHAME Trumpet No. 197 45-197/ BCD-15758 Cactus TRUMPCD-1
008 DRC-151/ACA-2433 LOSERS WEEPERS Trumpet No. 197 45-197/ BCD-15758 Cactus TRUMPCD-1
009 DRC-152/ACA-2431 ONE MORE TIME* Trumpet No. 198 No. 45-198/BCD-15758 Cactus TRUMPCD-1

010 DRC-153/ACA-2434 LONESOME DADDY BLUES* Trumpet No. 198 No. 45-198/BCD-15758 Jasmine JASMCD-469 Cactus TRUMPCD-1

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"Lucky" Joe Almond - Trumpet Records - No. 199 - July 1953

Side A - Rock Me

Side B - The Last Waltz

"Lucky" Mr Almond takes us through some quite simply superb mid tempo hillbilly with some slightly inuendoish lyrics, and yes we know what you mean Mr Almond, saucy brilliance with piano, steel and lashings of class!

Flip it over and you get a real purty sweet waltz with some great vocal and tip top players.

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Willie Love & 3 Aces

Trumpet Records - No. 209 - Aug 1954

Side A - Shout, Brother, Shout

Side B - Way Back

Willie Love(v/p), Richard Lillie(ts), Lester Williams(g), Buck Hinson(b), Rusty Alfred(d)

One year after the death of Willie Love in August 1953, Trumpet kept releasing his tunes as they were still selling really well and there is a good reason for that, they are still great songs and thank godness they kept his name alive.

Shout, Brother, Shout is a boogie blues banger of a tune, originally recorded on the 13th April 1953 in Houston and is simply brilliant,  a mellow tenor sax mixed with Willie's smooth vocal delivery makes this a treasure of a record.

Then you spin it over you get the rampaging 'Way Back' which simply grooves from start to finish and finds Willie singing and shouting and that wild Tenor Sax ripping through your chest and it wont quit! glorious!

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"Lucky" Joe Almond & his Hillbilly Rockers !
Trumpet Records # 221 - 1954
Gonna Roll and Rock / Hickory Nut Boogie.

Joe could smell this Hillbilly with a beat / Rockabilly sound starting to spread it's wings through the south and with this ditty Almond is pretty damn close to hitting the Rockabilly sound head on !!!, a real catchy tune and at the time a good seller for Trumpet.
It was Lucky Joe Almond (Joseph Curtis Almond) from Wedowee, Alabama, who proved to be the label’s most successful Hillbilly singer. His first offering for TRUMPET was a cover of Piano Red’s classic R&B song « Rock Me » (# 199). This was recorded in Houston in 1953 with musical accompaniment provided by Jimmy Swan’s band, the Range Riders. Swan’s boys were good at what they did, but weren’t getting the groove, especially the shuffle rhythm McMurry had in mind. Finally she grabbed an acoustical board and began to thump it herself to enliven the rhythm : it helped.   Alhough « Rock Me » proved to be a good seller for TRUMPET, selling well to both Black and White markets, it was to be almost a year before Almond was back in the studio, backed this time by Curley Williams’ band, the Georgia Peach Pickers. At this session, recorded at the Diamond studio in Jackson, Almond laid down the two Hillbilly Bop classics « Gonna Roll and Rock » and « Hickory Nut Boogie » (# 221).  

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Ace- Hi Records !

Slim Dossey with the Ranch Boys
Ace-Hi Records # 5011- 1954
Ramblin'Man / Mexican Joe.

Slim does a nice version of the Hank classic in 1954 ! himself and the Ranch Boys really put their all into this Ace-Hi release and for me Slim does a really good vocal . My 78 copy comes in the original Ace-Hi sleeve ! 

Slim Dossey made his way to California from the Seattle, Washington area in January of 1953. When he arrived, he contacted promoter Bill Wagnon, who got Slim a guest spot on the famed "Town Hall Party" that originated from Compton, California. 

While in Los Angeles, Slim found work on various shows such as the "Jimmy Wakely Sunday Night TV Show", the "Spade Cooley Show". 

Hamilton Records !

Lula Bel Si & the Country Meldoy Boys .
Hamilton Records # PC 7558 - 1952
Sweet Kisses and a Cold Heart / Come Back To My Heart.

Hamilton Records produced here a snappy little western swing number with Lula Bell Si sounding about 12 years old ! But what you do have here is a well played song with  a catchy little chord proggesion that turns this song from one of the norms to a right lil' belter. Hamilton also prouced another release by Lula Bell Si on Hamilton 45 rpm #1025 'Kentuckian Waltz / Cast A Spell on Me in 1953.

Lula Bell Si according to one article in 1957 was known as "The Girl With The Golden Voice". She was a native of Indiana. In the early 1950s, her band was called the Country Folk. The 1957 article indicates it was being called the Melody Boys.

Lula Bell and her band would play to packed houses on Sunday nights at the Indian Ballroom in Indianapolis. The ball room at the time was the midwest's largest hall of its type at the time and had top bands appearing there regularly.

The Sunday night show they appeared on was aired over Channel 4, WTTV out of Bloomington, Indiana and was called "The Indiana Barn Dance". The square dance calling on the show at that time was done by Max Engel.

Lula Bell Si, leader, vocals
Kenny Si, guitar, emcee
Hershal Calbert, bass fiddle
Frankie, fiddling
Cliff Kirkham, lead guitar